The most intriguing comment of the night...

JacK Rauber · May 9, 2015

Is when Kellerman asked, actually asked, Canelo if he would be willing to fight GGG. AND Canelo said yes. I believe that fight will happen and if it does within the next 12 months, GGG will knock Canelo out. But it will be a fun fight to watch while it lasts.

GolovKing · May 9, 2015

Canelo has *****. He'll want to fight Golovkin and prove his greatness. I think he'll stop Cotto late by being the sharper puncher.

Bustajay · May 9, 2015

GolovKing said: ↑

Canelo has *****. He'll want to fight Golovkin and prove his greatness. I think he'll stop Cotto late by being the sharper puncher.
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:thumbsup
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markq · May 9, 2015

GolovKing said: ↑

Canelo has *****. He'll want to fight Golovkin and prove his greatness. I think he'll stop Cotto late by being the sharper puncher.
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It's easy being great when you come in 170+ pounds in the JMW division. He's another Chavez Jr.

GGG will school Canelo so bad, Saul will retire and start a Cinnabum bakery.

JacK Rauber · May 9, 2015

GolovKing said: ↑

Canelo has *****. He'll want to fight Golovkin and prove his greatness. I think he'll stop Cotto late by being the sharper puncher.
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I agree. Canelo takes out a washed up Cotto, then gets KO'd by GGG.

Echoes · May 9, 2015

Didn't Canelo and GGG spar once in Big Bear? If Canelo got the better of it, perhaps that's why he seems confident about his chances.

JacK Rauber · May 9, 2015

Echoes said: ↑

Didn't Canelo and GGG spar once in Big Bear? If Canelo got the better of it, perhaps that's why he seems confident about his chances.
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Are you suggesting Canelo got the best of it? Bring it then.

Real-G · May 9, 2015

JacK Rauber said: ↑

Is when Kellerman asked, actually asked, Canelo if he would be willing to fight GGG. AND Canelo said yes. I believe that fight will happen and if it does within the next 12 months, GGG will knock Canelo out. But it will be a fun fight to watch while it lasts.
Click to expand...

Then why ask for a fight thats not going to competitive ?

This is what I don't understand about some boxing fans. GGG should be looking for someone more on his level and size. Instead he's trying to move down in weight to fight smaller guys.

Serge · May 9, 2015

Echoes said: ↑

Didn't Canelo and GGG spar once in Big Bear? If Canelo got the better of it, perhaps that's why he seems confident about his chances.
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Part 1:

As much as I detest the long and winding drive up to Big Bear Lake, Calif., I knew I would eventually return to the mountain resort town sometime this year.

Id been hearing too many stories about Gennady Golovkin, the undefeated WBA middleweight beltholder coached by Abel Sanchez at the veteran trainers gym in Big Bear, to stay away.

When Sanchez told me last month that rising Mexican star Saul Alvarez would not only arrive to train at The Summit, his high altitude training center, in May but also spar with Golovkin, I knew my time to return had come.

By sitting in on a sparring session between the two, Id find out whether theres any truth to the outlandish gym rumors Id heard about Golovkin, a 28-year-old native of Kazakhstan who goes by the nickname Superman, and Id see how talented and tough the 20-year-old 154-pound beltholder really is.

I realize that sparring is not the same thing as an actual fight. However, given what Id heard and read about Golovkin (20-0, 17 knockouts), a 2003 world amateur champ and 2004 Olympic silver medalist who defeated the likes of Lucian Bute (by KO), Andre Dirrell and Andy Lee in the amateurs, I figured he could tell me more about Alvarez (36-0-1, 26 KOs) than the kids fights with faded old Carlos Baldomir and naturally smaller recent opponents such as Jose Cotto, Lovemore Ndou and Matthew Hatton.

I was able to stave off my usual altitude sickness during the drive up to the remote San Bernardino mountain town with thoughts of all the hype Ive heard on Golovkin in recent months. It began with a text message from Sam Garcia late last June.

Perro is getting lit up in sparring by this Russian dude! read the text message from Garcia, an assistant trainer for junior lightweight prospect Eloy Perez, who frequently trains in Big Bear.

Perro, of course, is Alfredo Angulo, the rugged junior middleweight contender who was preparing for his HBO-televised fight against Joachim Alcine last July when he locked horns with Golovkin at Sanchezs gym. Garcia later gave me a more-detailed account of the sparring session. Lightweight contender Urbano Antillon, who is trained by Sanchez, supported Garcia's story.

A few months later I got a phone call from the producer of a Spanish-language sports show, who swore that he witnessed Golovkin "embarrass" Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. at the Wild Card gym during an open workout held for the Latino media a few weeks before the unbeaten middleweight pulled out of scheduled Dec. 4 card.

A Wild Card regular who spotted me at the Alvarez-Hatton fight in Anaheim, Calif., this past March whispered that he saw Golovkin give undefeated super middleweight prospect Peter Quillin all he could handle at Roachs famous boxing club.

The producer and the gym rat didnt want to go on record for fear of being banned from Wild Card, which is understandable (I guess), but Garcia, who watched Golovkin and Angulo spar in Big Bear, has no problem sharing his observations with his fellow boxing fans.

Alfredo Angulo is a very strong, very competitive, prideful guy who has a great team behind him, but Golovkin is on another level, said Garcia, who says he watched three sparring sessions between the two over the course of one week. His strength, his demeanor, his skill, everything he did in there was just too much for Angulo, which surprised the hell out of me.

Ive seen Angulo spar many times before and hes always the one doing the hurting. Hes so damn tough Ive never seen him take a step back, let alone get hurt. I was expecting him to test this Golovkin guy that Id never seen before, but Superman was in there taking and giving, and he hurt Angulo a couple times, especially to the body. Angulo had to get on his bike against Golovkin, which was just bizarre to see.

I didnt know what to expect to see when I finally arrived to The Summit (along with RingTV.com videographer Daniel Morales and photographer Scott Kilbride), but I was ready to see it.

The sparring session: Work, not war

Before the session, which took place on Wednesday, May 25, began, Sanchez told me not to expect a blood-and-guts shootout. Angulo, a big, strong, mature pressure fighter, forced Golovkins heavy hand, so to speak.

In general, Sanchez discourages gym wars, which is why he's always operated out of private gyms away from an audience that might spur on unnecessary displays of machismo in the ring.

Think of this gym like a school, he said. Its not a public gym with pride and egos on the line. This is about learning. Were here to work and prepare for our upcoming fights.

Golovkin defends his WBA belt against former 154-pound titleholder Kassim Ouma on June 17 in Panama City, Panama. Alvarez defends his WBC strap against Ryan Rhodes on June 18 in his native Guadalajara, Mexico.

On this day, they would spar six four-minute rounds (which is no walk in the park 6,000 feet/1,800 meters above sea level).

Were using Canelo for his speed, Sanchez said. Hes using us for our size.

That was fine by me. I was using both for a RingTV.com column.

Round one:

Alvarez began the session sticking and moving effectively. The young redhead was on his toes when he maneuvered around the casually advancing Golovkin, but he planted his feet every time he let his hands go, including his stiff jab. However, Golovkin picked off most of Alvarezs shots with his gloves as he quickly cut the ring off, occasionally switching stances as he stepped forward. The 2004 Olympian slipped a beautiful left uppercut through Alvarezs guard to score the first significant punch midway through the round. Alvarez loaded up with a retaliatory hook that missed and spun him halfway around. Golovkin didnt jab much, but he landed it whenever he let it go. Alvarez began to look for ways to counter his antagonist in the final minute and scored with a sweet right cross followed by a hook that shook Golovkin down to his shoes. The Kazakh just smiled at him, though. Unfazed, Alvarez stood his ground in the final 30 seconds and took a few hard body shots.

Round two:

Golovkin stalked a little faster while displaying decent head movement and a nice straight, crisp jab. Alvarez definitely felt the pressure as he gave ground without allowing his back to touch the ropes. He used fluid upper-body movement to evade Golovkins short power shots, which prompted co-trainer Jose Reynoso to yell Bien, bien, muy bien! from the corner. Alvarez landed a picture-perfect head-to-body hook combination mid-round. Golovkin fired back but the kid leaned away from the punches. Alvarez tried to counter Golovkin but couldnt get through the older fighters guard. Still, the young mans accuracy backed Golovkin off for the first time during the session. Alvarez followed Golovkin during the final minute but walked into a hard left hook that appeared to rock him with 10 seconds remaining. Alvarez didnt return to his corner after the bell but instead tried to shake out his right leg, which immediately stiffened on impact of Golovkins hook.

Rounds three and four:

Alvarez abandoned his jab and his upper-body movement and took the fight to Golovkin with both hands. Golovkin welcomed the aggression, easily blocking Alvarezs punches while landing most of his. Alvarez sucked it up and even walked forward while attempting to block as much heat as he could, but it was clear that he could not match Golovkins strength or power. Still, the budding young star got in an occasional power punch whenever he let his hands go in bunches. His hook-right combination found the mark but his technique was not as tight as it was at the start of the session and his face was turning beet red from Golovkins punches. The kid showed guts but he didnt merit a single bien from Reynoso in the third round. He didnt hear it until two and half minutes into the fourth round, when he let loose with a blazing five-punch combination. Golovkin dodged or parried most of the shots but Alvarez earned his respect for the round.

Round five:

A tired-looking Alvarez resumed his jab and lateral movement to buy himself a breather. His jab was especially effective when he shot-gunned it. Golovkin neglected his jab and looked to counter Alvarezs left stick with single power punches (the hook in particular). Alvarez did more moving along the ring perimeter (his back now grazing the ropes) than punching, but he got off hard shots when he did let his hands go.

Round six:

Alvarez caught his second wind in the final round, bouncing on his toes with quick one-two combinations. Muy bien! Reynoso yelled after Alvarez landed a right uppercut-right cross combination off the ropes. Golovkin grinned again and attacked Alvarezs body as the kid tried to spin away. They both loaded up with single power punches during the final minute of the round.

It was good stuff and definitely worth the trip. I wasnt the only observer who appreciated the session.

That was great, said Antillon, who is slated to challenge WBA lightweight beltholder Brandon Rios in a cant-miss barnburner on July 9. Two undefeated champions going at it. You dont see this often.
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Serge · May 9, 2015

Part 2:

Impressions: Sometimes the hype is real

The 24-minute sparring session reinforced some critical observations I (and many others) have regarding Alvarezs style and technique, but I think I gained some insight into his ring temperament.

Alvarez is a versatile boxer who can stick and move or stalk and punch effectively. Hes comfortable in the ring (and under pressure), but if hes hurt or feels that hes being overwhelmed during a fight, I have the feeling he might just go for broke instead of try to survive.

Thats probably not the safe or smart thing to do in the face of adversity, but its the kind of attitude that makes an attraction even more popular with his fans.

I dont know if Rhodes will be the guy to do it, but somebodys going to clip the kid good (better than Cotto did or Golovkin did in the second round of the sparring I witnessed). Alavarez keeps his gloves up most of the time but his hand placement allows for a sharp shooter to pierce the center with uppercuts or come over and around the top with hooks.

Heres a peak at some of the observations I jotted down in my notebook while watching Alvarez spar:

Canelo doesnt try to avoid confrontation. (Written during the second round.)

He fights in spurts. He can be outworked by a busy fighter with a constant jab. Hes got a good chin but its not indestructible. (Written after the third round.)

So the kid isnt perfect. I was still impressed with what I saw from him because I realize that he was in with a real beast.

Lets give him credit for daring to test himself.

It was good for him to come here, said Sanchez. At home he was the big dog. There was nowhere to go up. He was probably getting complacent in his training. Here, he has to be on his Ps and Qs because theres a bigger dog.

Thats what the young man wanted.

Rhodes is talented and I know hes going to be very strong because hes coming down from middleweight, Alvarez said through Sanchez. So if I can spar with a smart, powerful middleweight champion like Golovkin, in my mind, Im not going to have any problem with Rhodes ability or size.

My first look at Golovkin was a treat. I think hes the real deal. He wont be able to fight in the States or on American TV until he resolves his contractual dispute with Germany-based Universum, which probably wont happen until after November (when he says his contract expires), but Superman is going to be worth watching whenever ESPN, Showtime or HBO discovers him. Mark my words.

Golovkin is a very strong and durable athlete with all-around skill and excellent technique, which includes defensive prowess. He has good footwork. Pivots well. Makes use of feints. Hes brutal but crafty. If he can take a punch, hes going to be very hard to beat.

Heres a few notes on Golovkin:

His right hand is like a laser beam. It reminds me of Kostya Tszyus right. The way he holds his hands also reminds me of Tszyu. Come to think of it, Golovkin kind of looks of like Tszyu. Hes got the same muscle tone, Central Asian facial features and oil-black hair (sans the pigtail).
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Monogamous STD · May 9, 2015

Real-G said: ↑

Then why ask for a fight thats not going to competitive ?

This is what I don't understand about some boxing fans. GGG should be looking for someone more on his level and size. Instead he's trying to move down in weight to fight smaller guys.
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But they're about identical in size? Golovkin's not going after smaller fighters. He's going after bigger money fights.

ElCyclon · May 9, 2015

markq said: ↑

It's easy being great when you come in 170+ pounds in the JMW division. He's another Chavez Jr.

GGG will school Canelo so bad, Saul will retire and start a Cinnabum bakery.
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Floyd nuthuggers seem a bit bitter towards Canelo tonight. I wonder why

JacK Rauber · May 9, 2015

Great post, Serge. Thanks.

Serge · May 9, 2015

JacK Rauber said: ↑

Great post, Serge. Thanks.
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:good

BlizzyBlizz · May 9, 2015

I'd pick Canelo to beat GG's ass. Canelo has more skill and the better defense. Is he big enough? Lets wait and see.

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The most intriguing comment of the night...

JacK Rauber Unbourboned by what has been Full Member

GolovKing ESB Since 2006 Full Member

Bustajay Feel the Steel/Balls Deep Full Member

markq Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

JacK Rauber Unbourboned by what has been Full Member

Echoes Member Full Member

JacK Rauber Unbourboned by what has been Full Member

Real-G Well-Known Member Full Member

Serge Ginger Dracula Staff Member

Serge Ginger Dracula Staff Member

Monogamous STD Ya know, Quasimoto predicted all this. Full Member

ElCyclon Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

JacK Rauber Unbourboned by what has been Full Member

Serge Ginger Dracula Staff Member

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The most intriguing comment of the night...

JacK Rauber Unbourboned by what has been Full Member

GolovKing ESB Since 2006 Full Member

Bustajay Feel the Steel/Balls Deep Full Member

markq Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

JacK Rauber Unbourboned by what has been Full Member

Echoes Member Full Member

JacK Rauber Unbourboned by what has been Full Member

Real-G Well-Known Member Full Member

Serge Ginger Dracula Staff Member

Serge Ginger Dracula Staff Member

Monogamous STD Ya know, Quasimoto predicted all this. Full Member

ElCyclon Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

JacK Rauber Unbourboned by what has been Full Member

Serge Ginger Dracula Staff Member

BlizzyBlizz Loyal Member Full Member